Goodell talks about his unwillingness to give up control over conduct policy

Posted by Mike Florio on August 3, 2011, 10:09 PM EST

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In an item posted earlier today, we explained that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s refusal to allow an outside entity to review the discipline imposed by him under the personal conduct policy had become the biggest remaining issue in the nearly-completed CBA talks.

Appearing at Panthers camp, Goodell talked about the stranglehold he plans to maintain over the policy.

Asked whether he’d be willing to permit some external body review his decisions, Goodell said (per Steve Reed of CarolinaGrowl.com), “The answer to that is no, I’m not going to be open to that. I’m not going to hand off the brand and the reputation of the NFL to somebody who is not associated with the NFL. I promise you that. That is one of the number one jobs as a commissioner in my opinion.”

Goodell then explained that his viewpoint isn’t necessarily popular with the teams that employ him.

“Mr. Richardson doesn’t like this because he’s my boss, one of 32, but I have disciplinary power over them and have had the unfortunate experience of fining him too, by the way,” Goodell said.

Reed reports that Richardson then held up two fingers and said, “Yes, twice.”

The players don’t seem to be as charitable, and if someone doesn’t blink it’ll be even longer until new players can get on the field.

get your stuff and get out goodell seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or your better get this deal done on those final issues otherwise im sending one of the powerpuff girls there if you dont and you dont want me to do that goodell im being serious

There needs to be a better system. I dont agree that it should be one man, but you can’t put it on the teams either. I mean look at last year, you had a QB suspended 4 games for an “alleged” crime (no charges were ever filed) and a WR from NY who was arrested for DUI and only suspended the first half of the game. VERY inconsistant.

I side with the players when it comes to the pussification of the tackling in the NFL, but when it comes to the conduct policy, Goodell is the face of the front office. It is Goodell’s reputation for letting the fans’ perception of the NFL get tarnished.

If you don’t want to be at the mercy of Goodell, don’t execute dogs, trap co-eds in bar bathrooms or shoot yourself in the leg.

The conduct policy affects a small percentage of active players. Think about how much better your teammates will perform if they’re at least giving a half-hearted effort to not be a public menace. It’s really not that tough. Oh yeah, and when normal people cause controversy at their jobs, they’re often fired immediately; you guys miss a “game”…

Was it me, or did it seem like the commish was threatening to fine the owners if they disagree with him too strongly. WTF. I think he needs to realize the people watch the NFL for the athletes, not the men in suits.

I am hoping that there are some pretty smart people in that room working this out but here are my two cents worth. I believe that the commissioner is right in saying that you should not hand off the brand to someone who does not have a stake in the name. I agree the man to make the ultimate decision regarding disciplinary issues MUST be the commissioner, however, I do not believe he should be the first line of discipline or the only issuer of disciplinary actions but the sole arbitor of all issues regarding discipline. If there was a three man committee, a former player, a former “management” person, and a “league” representative and if a disciplinary action is taken against a player and either the player believes the discipline is too great OR the commissioner determines the discipline is not strict enough, he then can intervene and institute the appropriate punishment. This gets the commish out of petty issues and frees up more of his time for more valuable things that I think he would rather be doing. In addition I believe it also makes him more an arbitor than a dictator.

Well it is hard to argue with Goodell’s point. I think it is valid for the commissioner of the league to want to be in control of “the brand” of the league. If players weren’t being morons all the time and getting into trouble then this wouldn’t be an issue. I do think there can be a compromise with maybe a panel made up of a retired player, coach, and exec that would come up with disciplinary actions that are then submitted to Goodell for approval or sent back to them for changes. This is only one idea and there are many more options out there but again, Goodell is definitely in the right by wanting to maintain control.

I think he’s right. It is his job. I hope the players get over this and let it go. Maybe they should stop getting in trouble with the law then they won’t have to worry about Goodell slamming them with punishment.

He should be in charge, but there should be set rules/consequences that can’t be disputed. The fact is these players jobs reflect the state in which they play, the NFL, and most importantly the fans. They owe their best, on and off the field. Moreover, the average nfl career only lasts maybe 15 years at most…be an idiot afterwards

Of COURSE the players want to set up some sort of “commission” or “review process” in the disciplinary system. Always easier to get away with all sorts of crap that way. Just another player “demand” in an effort at hijacking the CBA and further delaying the already ridiculous joke of a process of getting the players back on the field and allowing the teams to see what they’ve got as to their rosters. Insanity!

“I’m not going to hand off the brand and the reputation of the NFL to somebody who is not associated with the NFL. I promise you that. That is one of the number one jobs as a commissioner in my opinion.”

…okay. But the fact is, Roger, that the only reason this has become an issue is because you have failed at your job.

You have failed to establish a clear understanding among all 32 teams and their players regarding how you get to a final number when fining players.

You have failed to display even, fair, judgements regarding player punishment.

You have failed to show consistency in your punishment of NFL players.

You have failed the NFL shield and what it stands for–the players, teams, and most importantly, the fans.

I don’t like Roger Goodell. Let’s get that out of the way right off the top.

That being said, he is right on this issue. Giving an independent panel of people not directly affiliated with the league the power to over rule his decisions would, for all intents and purposes, render him powerless to enforce disciplinary issues.

No commissioner of any sport in history has ever allowed themselves to be subjected to this kind of independent oversight.

Do you honestly think the commissioner of the most powerful sports league in history is going to allow himself to be the first?

And the owners shouldn’t want him to. A league without a powerful commissioner flirts with anarchy. Ask MLB.

But hey, if they feel that strongly, fire him. He does, after all, work for them.

Create a board of 5-7 people that vote on fines / suspensions based on guidelines. Also employ an outside mediated appeal process that wouldn’t make final decisions, but could rule to send the case back to the board with recommendations.

Cannot wait until Goodell is gone. His conduct policy is only in line with the mediagasm that follows some perceived o real misconduct among the players. If the media is upset, Goodell swings into action with token reaction that is only so he could cover his own a$$.

Wow, I was about to post the sentiment exactly. Why would you give up the reputation of your league to someone else?
The Union needs to quit trying to protect bad guys and morons…keep the league free of dopes. On or offfield.

What the players object to is when Goodell arbitrarily changes the policy in midseason and decides that all of a sudden stuff that hasn’t been enforced much is now dealt with severely, in particular the “headhunting” infractions.

This isn’t about protecting, it’s about fair and equitable treatment for employees. If goodell is judge, jury and appeals process it opens open legal challenges of fines and suspensions in a court of law. Let Goodell keep judge and jury and let a three man panel of a former player, coach and league rep field appeals. If the penalty is deemed too stiff by the panel push it back to goodell for adjustment.

If you don’t the next step is lawsuits where players start tying this crap up in court. See the star caps case. How can that be more productive than a simple appeals panel appointed by the league to, at a minimum, give the illusion of fairness?

The players need to remember why Goodell has that power. It was given him by their previous Union head because the previous commish had a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude about it. Ignoring the off field crap like that was tarnishing the brand, and diminishing its value. Goodell comes down hard, advertisers and networks are happier, and theres more money flowing which the players share in.
Bottom line is, don’t act like a turd, the league won’t treat you like one.

siggy00: Dont forget Braylon Edwards……after he was placed on probation and left the Brows, he signed with the Jets (NFL Psoter team last year), get arrested for ANOTHER DUI, and is only forced to sit out the first half of a game.

And Richard Seymore, taking a swipe at Bens head after tha play was over, only fined a third of what was later ruled a clean hit from the NE Saftey.

oscojoe says:
Aug 4, 2011 12:12 AM
It is important for people to know what is currently in place:

1 – There is a 3 person panel set up by the NFL (All 3 are former NFL Players & for those that claim racism you should know that all 3 are African Americans.

The three (who do work for the NFL) reviews all on/off field & conduct issues and make recomendations to Goodell.
__________________________________
Great info, thanks! I thought that was only for the on field stuff like hits. If it’s for the off field stuff too, I think that’s enough oversight.
I would like to see them crack all the way down on DUIs though (one-1 game w/o pay. Two =4 games w/o pay, etc.) especially since they have that free ride service. I realize that is far from realistic for any company to do, and it really isn’t their “business” unless a job involves driving. I just hate drunk driving. Almost nothing is more easily avoided than that.

I do agree that their should be some sort of guideline so that it can be understood by us fans and the teams and players exactly what =what offense wise. I think it’s only fair that if they want to protect the shield, we should know what the parameters are for that. After all, one reason to protect it (outside of #1 which is $$$ from sponsors/TV I would guess) is for the game’s perception by fans.

Am I the only one who would love to know what JR got fined for??? He strikes me as almost the last owner who would do something fineable.

I think this is very simple. If you don’t like actually being held accountable, you would be against Goodell and his authority to punish players for violations of conduct inside the game and outside. All which have been fair and have set strong examples. You are just an NFL players. You are not above the rules, code of conduct or the law. Unless you plan on breaking the rules, there should be absolutely no issues with his policies.

Trouble makers and crybaby prima donnas are the problem, not a strict commissioner. If you can’t follow the rules, then you need to be punished. Doesn’t matter if their is a panel or one man deciding.